Smart tests LTE-A at Asian Carriers Conference in Cebu

Filipino wireless operator Smart Communications has demonstrated Long Term Evolution-Advanced (LTE-A) technology at the tenth Asian Carriers Conference (ACC) in Cebu – an event hosted by its parent company the Philippine Long Distance Telephone Company (PLDT). Smart switched on its first LTE-A network at the Smart Jump Center in Mandaluyong City (Metro Manila) last month, after extensive testing in Makati City, Boracay and Davao City in 2013. The new demonstration yielded downlink transmission speeds of up to 100Mbps, although the cellco was forced to use a South Korean Samsung S4 handset, as the Philippines is still awaiting the formal introduction of an LTE-A-compatible device.